Design and fabrication of a simple schlierenscope

Since 1858 the schlieren method, originally suggested by the French astronomer Leon Foucault, has developed into a versatile tool for the investigation of phenomena involving small optical inhomogeneities in transparent media. The widescale use of this method started immediately after its discovery. This new optical method is easy to apply, noninterfering, nondestructive, free from inertia, and can produce instantaneous records of transient phenomena, and is comparatively inexpensive. This method is based on the deflection of light by the variation of refractive index of the medium. In this paper we have given the details of the construction of a simple compact schlieren experimental setup as an instructional aid.